Some of these albums are known just when you see their album cover. They are usually iconic albums (whether positively or negatively) and one can easily identify them even if they were zoomed out tons in any place.

Please contribute to this list by suggesting albums you think have iconic covers. Comments are appreciated.

Metallica - Ride The LightningNo one could ever forget this (rather simplistic) cover with the electric chair and the lightning surrounding it. Even '80s Dave Mustaine liked it, evidenced by his "No More Mr. Nice Guy" music video.

6.

Metallica - St. AngerDespite of the overwhelmingly negative opinions about this album, it remains one of the most iconic covers to signal a bad album.

7.

Metallica - MetallicaYet another Metallica cover (one more coming), but the nature of this cover has actually given a name for the album different than its original. ("The Black Album")

Pantera - Vulgar Display Of PowerEasily Pantera's most well-known cover, its photo of (probably) Dimebag Darrell receiving a punch in the face is one of the most well-known covers to anyone who has ever browsed a bit about them.

14.

Kreator - Pleasure To KillThis album cover cannot be easily removed out of one's head and remains as the most well-known in Kreator's gallery.

15.

Slayer - Reign In BloodYou knew this one was coming. Blasphemous, unholy and totally disturbing to the mainstream - perfectly iconic.

16.

Mayhem - Dawn Of The Black HeartsFeaturing a photo of Dead (Per Yngve Ohlin) dead with the shotgun, this is probably a greatly iconic and controversial album cover in metal history.

17.

Motörhead - MotorheadDefining their famous "war boar" with their debut album, Motörhead have definitely aced the cover with this one.

18.

Motörhead - Ace Of SpadesAs soon as you see this cover, it's gonna be stuck in your head forever. Although not THAT interesting, it's definitely very, very memorable and has a great album behind it.

19.

Iron Maiden - Iron MaidenYou may not think this cover is memorable, but it's definitely iconic as it spawned us Eddie the Head.

Megadeth - Rust In PeaceThe colors of this cover, as well as Vic's look and the important personalities behind him, definitely make this one of the most iconic album covers of all time.

27.

Megadeth - The System Has FailedAlthough not the most iconic or memorable, probably because of the album's quality, its scenery and inclusion of politics, as well as its powerful image, make this instantly iconic to most who view it.

28.

Darkthrone - Transilvanian HungerThis album's cover is probably the most black metal cover there is. It reflects the true imagery and ideology of black metal more than the most wintery landscape, burning churches or inverted crosses. It's certainly iconic.

Burzum - AskeAlthough one can think that the whole purpose of this EP was to show off the pic, which remains an icon in black metal, one does not know that some musical creativity and prowess are also behind this controversial cover.

Death - LeprosyThis cover of the legendary Death is simply iconic by the pose of the figure on the album that screams "Death".

43.

Death - Scream Bloody GoreAnd after resisting to put this on here, it seems that it had stuck with me quite well. 'Ere we go, yup it is iconic.

44.

Possessed - Seven ChurchesAs well as being labeled by some the "first death metal album", this album is also iconic by its Satanic cover and the depth that it provides despite its simplistic look.

45.

Slayer - South Of HeavenThe skull, the details in it and everything featured on this album, even the Parental Advisory label, is definitely iconic.

46.

Opeth - Blackwater ParkEverything about this cover screams "Opeth". You've got the landscape that fits exactly for the atmosphere provided, you've got the band logo in its purest forms and even if you don't know them, the November-ish cover will definitely get you to have some interest. Iconic.

47.

Sodom - Agent OrangeAs soon as you see this cover, three words will saw through your mind: "TEUTONIC THRASH METAL".

48.

Judas Priest - PainkillerJudas Priest's covers have always included title characters, but this is probably the best and the most that Priest fans can identify with, so much that it has become Priest's Eddie. The landscape, the Judas Priest mark and everything make this a totally iconic album cover.

49.

Judas Priest - Screaming For VengeanceThe bright yellow and the screeching Hellion flying across the cover is one of the most memorable and iconic covers of all time in Judas Priest's, and generally metal's, history.

50.

Led Zeppelin - Led ZeppelinThe astounding photo of the zeppelin crashing (most likely the Hindenburg?) and the way it was presented as the cover indeed makes this album's cover an iconic one.

51.

Cannibal Corpse - Butchered At Birth..along with all the sickening covers CC have managed to make in one spot. They all probably have the same effect and the same iconic tradition, but this one stands out for me because of the hanging babies. That's really sick.

52.

Morbid Angel - DominationAnother classic, iconic death metal cover that all M.A. listeners cherish and lots of death metal fans know. Although nothing THAT special, the Slime Edition tale and the general feel of the cover probably made it as iconic.

Agalloch - The MantleFewer albums from the 2000s have made it here, but this one has an outstanding cover. This cover simply describes the musical feel, the landscape it sounds like and is simply so appealing that I really bought the album just because of it. Turns out it wasn't bad at all.

55.

Children Of Bodom - Follow The ReaperThis album's cover is an iconic landmark and one can notice it from miles away. It can also stick in your mind from the first look and is very descriptive of the album's nature.

56.

Lamb Of God - Ashes Of The WakeAlthough I'm not much a listener of Lamb of God, I can tell that this album's cover is definitely iconic and memorable.

Possibly, but look at Metallica's "Load", "ReLoad", "Death Magnetic", didn't include them for a reason. They didn't have that iconic quality to them. That album cover that pops out in your mind at random times.

Also, I didn't forget Amon Amarth, and they're one of the most popular out there. Yet didn't find any album that gave the same effect. Nor Anthrax. "Among the Living"'s cover, which will be soon suggested I assume, was not added by me because it also didn't have that much of that feel that would let albums like ones on this list be added here.

Altars Of Madness I have a funny story about. back when it was released I got it as a gift from my grandma because just by looking at the cover she was sure I would love it and she totally loved the album cover as well.

Altars Of Madness I have a funny story about. back when it was released I got it as a gift from my grandma because just by looking at the cover she was sure I would love it and she totally loved the album cover as well.

Hahahaha... I wish I had a grandma like that. xD

[quote=MoraWintersoul]
The cover for Images & Words pretty much sticks. And a Dio cover or two could have made it in anyhow, these are just my two cents, it's your list

I'll make sure I include Images & Words. That and Metropolis Pt. 2, you reminded me. Thanks!

Nice Idea for a list you should add Morbid Tales by Celtic Frost, Keeper Of The Seven keys by Helloween and Scream Bloody Gore by Death...

I don't think the others are iconic enough (especially Scream Bloody Gore) but Morbid Tales is surely iconic. That'll go on the list.
Thanks very much for your suggestion, well appreciated!

I would say To Mega Therion is way more iconic thn Morbid Tales, especially due to the exclusive rights to use the H.R. Giger painting for the cover

Yep, that's iconic by all standards, Marcel. Thanks for your addition.
It's just that I don't know Celtic Frost that much to know which from which. xD But I think they influenced Black Metal in some way or another, right?

I don't get why Scream Bloody Gore isn't in your standard Iconic covers really LOL everyone knows that cover, maybe Symbolic would be for you idk man since you put Leprosy ?? lol I mean I knew Scream Bloody Gore way before leprosy lol Also you put the Keeper Part II... so why not the I lol they both had pretty much the same impact on Metal, plus I don't think the Two Minutes To Midnight single by maiden is that Iconic I mean I got almost all their albums and I never cared much for this I agree for trooper though

Also, I didn't forget Amon Amarth, and they're one of the most popular out there. Yet didn't find any album that gave the same effect.

Not even of Surtur Rising?

I remember how fans were insanely drove when their Surtur's cover art was revealed. It can't be iconic atm because it's a newly released album , but, um down the line of 4-5 years I suppose fans gonna remember this album from their cover art only. And honestly, it's their one of the best cover til yet.